The overall aim of the course is to provide the students with a robust background in construction materials, encompassing both scientific and technological knowledge and providing general guidelines for translating scientific knowledge into an effective tool for civil engineering design. The student will learn: - how scientific principles are exploited in controlling relevant properties of construction materials; - the international (English) nomenclature and terminology for materials characteristics and production steps; - the main international standards for the definition and characterization of constructions materials; - how to select materials to fulfill design and project requirements; - how to evaluate material properties, and to plan material testing activities, for both purchasing and quality control activities.

Basic knowledge of Physics, Chemistry, Structural mechanics, and Material Science and Technology

Metals (30h) Brief review of: 1) the metallic bond and the crystal structures of metals; 2) elements of metals crystallography: FCC, BCC, and HCP structures; 3) microstructure of metals; 4) interstitial sites; 5) point defects and solid solutions; 6) dislocations, slip systems and plastic deformation; 7) strenghtening of metallic materials. Fe-C Metastable phase diagram; metallographic constituents: austenite, ferrite, cementite, graphite, pearlite Microstructural features of structural steels: ferrite-pearlite structure. Primary and secondary fabrication routes of steel: costs, raw materials, inherent properties and defects introduced by fabrication routes. Strength and impact toughness of structural steels at room, low and high temperature: influence of chemical composition and impurities Stainless steels Wet corrosion of metallic materials: general corrosion, galvanic corrosion, differential aeration corrosion, soil corrosion, pitting, crevice and stress-corrosion. Weldability of steels: fusion zone and heat-affected zone, weld defects, equivalent carbon content. Welding technologies to be used either on construction site or on fabrication site. Structural steel products: fabrication and commercial shapes; classification and designation of main steel products for civil engineering: products used for structural steels, reinforced concrete and pre-stressed concrete, etc.; basic and quality classes of structural steels; material testing and quality control activities. Brief comments on properties of non ferrous materials: Al, Cu, Ti. Non Metallic materials (30h) Glass production: energy saving glasses and relevant standards. Exercises. Chromogenic and photocromic glasses. Thermal insulation: thermal properties of materials; foam glass; innovative materials. Phase modification materials and heat accumulation properties. Semiconducting materials and photovoltaic system (materials, structure and uses). Polymeric materials: fundamentals, structure, synthesis and manufacturing technologies. Polymeric materials for civil engineering applications: foams, adhesives, painting and sealants. Composite materials: fundamentals, classification, reinforcing mechanisms, manufacturing, fibers reinforced composites, with emphasis on fibers reinforced polymers. Bitumen and derivatives (properties and applications). Cementitious materials Wood: structure, mechanical strength, deformation and degradation. Timber-frame and lamellar wood.

Theoretical classes (prevalent) and practical exercises (on some parts).

Learning is based mainly on the lecture notes provided by the professors and available on the web site, and on the students’ own notes. Recorded lessons via Virtual Classroom from Academic Year 2019-2020 are available. The following textbooks are recommended for consultation: - Callister and Rethwisch, "Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction" (metals and non-metals) - Campbell, "Elements of Metallurgy and Engineering Alloys" (metals only) - Krauss, "Steels, Processing, Structure, and Performance" (metals only)

Exam: Computer-based written test using the PoliTo platform;

Expected comprehension results Comprehension of the theoretical and applicative topics given during the lesson. Knowledge of the mechanisms at the base of Materials Science phenomena. Capability to read technical diagrams and relate the information included in such diagrams with operative performance of materials Capability to identify the properties of materials useful for specific operative fields. Criteria, Rules and procedures for the exam Individual written test, consisting of 1 or 2 open questions and 4 multiple choice questions on metals and 1 or 2 questions and 4 multiple choice questions on non-metals. Multiple choice questions can have 1 or more correct entries. Total duration of the exam: about 1 h. In replying to open questions, the students are requested to argue about the consequences of specific design choices in terms of materials selection, considering both their microstructural features and impurity levels. Also the reference to application fields are requested within the reply to open questions. The evaluation includes all lecture topics. Textbooks, lecture notes, formularies, and electronic devices cannot be used during the exam. The maximum score that can be achieved by the students is 30/30 cum laude

Exam: Written test;

Expected comprehension results Comprehension of the theoretical and applicative topics given during the lesson. Knowledge of the mechanisms at the base of Materials Science phenomena. Capability to read technical diagrams and relate the information included in such diagrams with operative performance of materials Capability to identify the properties of materials useful for specific operative fields. Criteria, Rules and procedures for the exam Individual written test, consisting of 1 or 2 open questions and 4 multiple choice questions on metals and 1 or 2 questions and 4 multiple choice questions on non-metals. Multiple choice questions can have 1 or more correct entries. Total duration of the exam: about 1 h. In replying to open questions, the students are requested to argue about the consequences of specific design choices in terms of materials selection, considering both their microstructural features and impurity levels. Also the reference to application fields are requested within the reply to open questions. The evaluation includes all lecture topics. Textbooks, lecture notes, formularies, and electronic devices cannot be used during the exam. The maximum score that can be achieved by the students is 30/30 cum laude